Bombs and Roses: REWOUND
Edwin Ariyadasa
“No man of woman born,
Coward or brave, can shun his destiny.” - Homer
Director Anurudha Jayasinghe has created a fast-paced cinematic fable
to reflect the fragility and the brittleness of the adolescent gossamer
world of dreams, that beguiles many among the young of our day.
The title of the film, echoes a phrase that occurs in a poem by
Ernest Dowson. The poem reads this way:
“They are not long, the days of wine and roses:
Out of misty dream
Our path emerges for a while, then closes
Within a dream.”
The leading characters, in this disturbing cinematic tale, find
themselves deeply immersed in a star – struck cloud – cuckoo – land of
sentimental romance. They are so thoroughly overwhelmed by their all
inclusive romantic preoccupations, that, they are not sensitive to the
world beyond their ken.
Director Anuruddha Jayasinghe, locates his cinematic onslaught in a
simmering urban pressure cooker, teeming with throngs, relentlessly
pursuing their individual agendas. Desparados, ruffians, pick-pockets,
fast-buck seekers, under-world denizens and sundry types with a mere
toe-hold on regular life, exist side by side with innocent young men and
young women, solely focused on pleasure.
This vulnerability is further compounded by the rumour of a suicide –
bomber in the city, riding an explosive-packed motor cycle.
Of this conglomerate of complex characters, beautiful Upeksha
Swarnamali and her steady-date, assume a high-profile presence. Director
Anuruddha Jayasinghe orchestrates their uninhibited courtship, in an
innovative cinematic idiom.
The highly contrived story-line builds a palpable tension.
As the hard-dealing Boss of a risk – ridden operation of vehicle
heists, Bimal Jayakody is rivetingly convincing.
Mahendra Perera roams the roads with a crooked eye on the opportunity
to swindle an unwary passer by.
In such an urban wilderness, two adolescent school goers, make a
touching effort to steal a moment of teenage tryst.
Director Anuruddha Jayasinghe composes a script, providing the
formula for a tight and intense plot-line. Events, episodes and dramatic
situations cram the screen-play.
Converting such a knotty and fast-moving script into a cinematic
work, that is faithful to all the twists and turns dictated by the
screen-play is indeed a creative ordeal.
The urban setting, which provides the back-drop to the film, is
realistically portrayed. But, to the last drop of tension and thrill,
the director has to intensify certain situations with something of an
effort.
Accidents and casualty, take a hand in the progress of the story
line. Through a singular stroke of chance the bomb-bearing motor cycle,
manages to escape at check points.
In the days of terrorist conflicts, that kind of chance escape of a
terrorist could have happened in actuality leading to disaster.
Therefore this escape of the death – fraught motor cycle is not an
artificial creation.
The cinematic narration is effectively punctuated by some diverting
cameo appearances. The portrayal of the ageing politico resorting to a
stratagem to restore his flagging human urges, is one such instance.
A primary characteristic of the film “Bombs and Roses”, is of course,
the surprising speed of its flow. To achieve this ultra-fast pace, the
Editor would have been asked to contribute substantially.
We have to turn especially to the cameraman.
His outstanding efficiency and his sureness of touch, have invariably
to be noted and praised.
The ever-changing crowds – busy streets form a staple aspect of this
film while cinematically recording such moving passages, the camera
takes intimate note of the innocent and touching gestures between the
two adolescent lovers, exchanging secret messages.
When everything is said and done, “Bombs and Roses” is a cinematic
achievement, that undoubtedly deserves, admiration and accolades.
While its fast paced rhythm, is an indispensable ingredient of the
work, many film-goers would have felt that the film was suddenly over –
as it were. This sentiment is generated because the film-goer enters
into the inner spirit of the cinematic work, with a total and ardent
absorption.
This relentless speed, works on the sentiments of viewer, at yet
another level too. He does not get much time to dwell upon the detail of
the work he has witnessed.
To put all this right, the discriminating film-goers should take a
fresh look at “Bombs and Roses”, since it is an exceptional record of a
tense social moment, cinematically capturing the essence of that
instance.
The totally engulfed viewer, is totally unprepared for the shocking
finale. The film-goer has been so absolutely involved with what was
going on, that his subconscience yearns for some more. |